North by Pacific Northwest

Fancy a short but sweet Pacific road trip from Washington State up into Vancouver? Detour into these gorgeous places where you can eat, shop, hike around a lake and ramble through World Heritage Butchart Gardens.

Destinations

Anjou Bakery, Eastern Cascades USA

The last thing you might expect to find on a dusty stretch of Highway 2 in the Eastern Cascades in Washington State, is a sophisticated European-style bakery. But pull into Anjou and you'll find a stylish warehouse cafe with a careful selection of great breads, sandwiches, cakes and tarts. It's a small selection so go early!

Eastsound, Orcas Island USA

As if its setting weren't picturesque enough, overlooking a bay and framed by rugged hills, the town of Eastsound is home to candy-coloured shops and cafes that cater to well-heeled visitors while keeping a mellow island vibe. Try Darvill's bookstore with its tiny waterfront cafe serving the town's best coffee.

Mountain Lake, Orcas Island USA

Halfway up Mount Constitution, the highest point in the San Juan Islands, is Mountain Lake, offering one of the most beautiful (and easy) trails in the region. The 3.9-mile loop hiking track takes you around the edge with picturesque views every step of the way.

The Butchart Gardens, Canada

Vancouver Island's Butchart Gardens is a marvel of planning: a hierarchical progression of Edwardian garden 'rooms' get wilder as they reach the Douglas firs of the forest behind. Most spectacular is the former limestone quarry transformed into a formal sunken garden. Take a restorative high tea in the family's former Arts and Crafts home afterwards. Did you know the gardens were designated as a World Heritage site in 2004 and are open summer through winter.